Seoul's tallest tower rises as faith crumbles

Seoul

AT 92, the man who built South Korea's biggest retail empire is finally making his mark in the Seoul skyline as the country's tallest tower takes shape - just as public faith in corporate giants crumbles into safety fears and mistrust.

Shin Kyuk Ho first envisioned a landmark for Lotte Group 28 years ago, when family-run conglomerates, or chaebol, like his led the rise of South Korea's economy. Now the plan to build the world's sixth tallest skyscraper by 2016 is marred by teething troubles at a newly opened mall and leisure complex at its foot - visitor numbers have nearly halved, forcing Lotte to cut rents.